Calif. state park managers oppose agency director

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California state park managers say they have lost confidence in their director and are urging Gov. Jerry Brown to appoint someone else to the role.

The 125-member California State Parks Peace Officer Management Association sent a letter to the governor's office last week expressing disapproval of Ruth Coleman, who has been serving as state parks director for nearly a decade.

Scott Elliott, president of the managers association, says there is frustration over how Coleman has handled budget cuts. The state announced earlier this year that it would close as many as 70 of the state's 278 parks to save $33 million over two years.

Parks department spokesman Roy Stearns on Tuesday said Coleman has been leading the charge to keep parks open, in part by creating partnerships and obtaining grants.